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It’s a good year to do your own taxes. Only a few things are new, and it’s always good to stay in touch with what you make and where it goes. Tax software is making it even easier, and filing online is getting simpler.

The Canada Revenue Agency expects about 1.5 million of us will file this week, as we’re eager for a refund that averaged $1,697 in 2014. The number of early birds will rise to 3.2 million by the end of next week.

Most of this year’s tax changes give a little bit to families as part of a bundle of populist tax breaks introduced in 2014.

Poll:

“The biggest thing is the family tax cut that is really a notional form of income — splitting,” says Robin Taub, a chartered professional accountant and tax expert.

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Here are this year’s highlights:

Basic personal amount: Everyone gets this one, which is usually adjusted for inflation. In 2014, inflation averaged 2 per cent, but the exemption is only up $100 to $11,138, just 9/10ths of 1 per cent. Why? The CRA says the 2014 inflation rate for tax purposes is based on the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2013, not the January to December period. That rate was 0.9 per cent.

Income-splitting for families: This is a scaled-down version of the Conservatives 2011 campaign promise and helps families with children under 18, where parents are in different tax brackets. The spouse with the higher income can transfer up to $50,000 of his or her income to their partner. The maximum annual tax break is $2,000.

Children’s fitness tax credit: This one isn’t new, but the amount has doubled from $500 to $1,000 per child, says Taub. The credit is non-refundable, which means it can only be used to offset taxes otherwise owing. That changes next year, Taub says, when the amount will be refundable even when there’s no tax owing.

This year’s credit is 15 per cent of the amount spent, so if you spend $1,000, you get $150 back.

Universal child care benefit: This is paid to help families with the cost of raising children under 18 and has increased to $1,200 a year for each child under the age of 6. It is being enhanced and is increasing to $1,920 per year. The change will be reflected in monthly payments as of this July, with a payment that month for the first half of the year.

Public transit amount: There are no changes here, but it is still of interest to GTA commuters. It lets you claim the cost of monthly passes, including Presto passes.

But beware that using Presto for one-way trips doesn’t count as a monthly pass. In order to qualify this way, you have to make 30 one-way trips in 31 days. That works out to just under four workday return trips a week to qualify (8 trips per week x 4 weeks a month = 32 trips).

I also asked Taub about common tax mistakes. Here are her top picks:

Double dipping: Some people deduct expenses that have already been paid by their employers. Moving costs and union or professional dues are two examples.

Making other deductions: Some think this is a catchall for anything they spend on, including such things as weddings, divorces and funerals. Nope.

Filing too early: It’s fine to start the return early, but don’t submit it until you get all your slips. That way, you get everything you’re entitled to and don’t have the hassle of refiling your return. Taub points out that one advantage of tax software (she works with Intuit to promote TurboTax) is that it allows you to build your return as you go. But don’t file late, either. The deadline is April 30.

Not being honest: Ours is an honour system, so the onus is on you to report what you make. If you get caught cheating, they’ll make you pay. The CRA often audits occupations where cash is king — retail, hospitality and construction trades, for examples.

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